Sanford-Fritch runs through Forsan 33-26

November 15, 2011

Sanford-Fritch junior running back Colton Valle ran for 360 yards in the Eagles 33-26 win over Forsan on Saturday evening.
Valle ended the regular season as the Texas Panhandleâ€™s top rusher.
PHOTO BY DON RICE

By

Stephanie Howard

PLAINVIEW-On Saturday evening, the Sanford Fritch Eagles fought hard to beat the Forsan Buffs 33-26 for the 2A District II Bi-District title.
The Eagles racked up 560 yards offensively, with junior running back Colton Valle having 381 yd. alone.
It was truly Valleâ€™s best game all season.
The Eagles won the toss but opted to use it second half.
A couple good runs by Forsans quarterback Foster Burchett and running back Trevor Burchett moved the chains.
But a costly fumble recovered by Sanford-Fritchâ€™s Tyler Blankinship set up the Eagles first score.
With 8:17 on the clock, a Chris Bryan toss to Tate Murray for 32 yd. touchdown along with the PAT by Murray made it 7-0.
SF held Forsan to quick four downs and ended the quarter.
Almost immediately, beginning second quarter, Forsan stopped the Eagles and got a 83 yd. touchdown run by T Burchett to make the score show 7-6.
This was the pattern for the entire game on who would score last to win.
Eagles began offense and the Valle show began with a 45 yd. touchdown showing why he is an All-State running back. The PAT by Murray put 14-6 in lights.
Forsan got their turn of opportunity with a 65 yd. T Burchett touchdown run.
Forsan tried to tie with two point conversion but it failed making Eagles still ahead 14-12 at halftime.
Third quarter was another back and forth see-saw action. Both teams fought hard and never gave up.
With 8:55 showing, T Bryan took a direct snap and ran in for a 10 yd. touchdown, dragging defenders with him.
The failed PAT made Eagles up by eight at 20-12.
Forsan tried different options and one big toss in the air was intercepted by Sanford-Fritchâ€™s Ryan Blakely.
A couple of penalties later and good ball movement led the Eagles to the three yard line reaching for another score.
A big fumble recovered by the Buffs set up the next touchdown by Brendan Roman for 96 yards sprint.
Two point conversion tied the game for the first of two times at 20 a piece.
Just as quick, Valle broke away and maneuvered a beautiful rushing touchdown for 52 more yards. At 1:13 in the third left, Fritch was ahead 26-20.
The last quarter, of a great football game, was a whirlwind like the previous quarters.
Sanford-Fritch stopped Forsan offense and after a blotched punt the Buffs regained offense again.
That was the ingredient needed to let their QB Burchett run in and score to tie the game at 26.
A big blocked extra point kept the Eagles pumped and eager.
Sanford-Fritch needed one spark to finish the game ahead.
That spark, none other, was Valle, who had a career high of 381 yd. offense.
His 51 yd. touchdown run would ignite every fan and player wearing blue.
A PAT by Murray secured the score 33-26.
Forsan moved the chains, but big defense from Sanford-Fritch by Murray, Caleb Manzella, Daniel Segedy and Brady Robbins, put a quick end to Buffs comeback.
Valle racked up a bit more yardage, but most importantly, ate up clock.
Sanford-Fritch wins 33-26 and will travel to Wichita Falls on Saturday to play the undefeated Cisco at 6:30.
Individual stats-
Rushing: Valle 30-360; Murray 7-23;
C Bryan 11-14; T Bryan 2-23
Receiving: Murray 2-62; Henry 1-25; Valle 3-21; T Bryan 1-12
Passing: C Bryan 8-11-0-119